More than 1,000 residents call for athletics track - major update issued

A petition signed by more than 1,000 residents calling on Lichfield District Council to develop a dedicated athletics and running facility has been rejected. Council leaders say the evidence does not justify the cost of the new facility.

The petition highlighted an area around the football fields at Lichfield Leisure Centre as a possible location for the facility. However, it argues that despite more people being involved in athletics, there is no space for them without travelling.

The petition, started by Daniel Floyd, said: “Lichfield has a great sporting background and has lots to offer; however, there are no safe spaces for nurturing and improving running and athletics talent over our district.  Over the last four years, Lichfield’s running and athletics scene has gone from strength to strength with three new running clubs being set up, a new triathlon club and a weekly Parkrun.

“All of this has seen the sporting community come together to get fit, stay healthy and do what they enjoy.  The issue is that there is no space for people to be able to run, train or compete without having to travel.”

A total of 1,195 residents signed the petition, which means it could be considered by cabinet. Council officers have reviewed the petition against a number of strategy documents including the Local Plan, Playing Pitch Strategy and the Outdoor Sports Strategy.

They concluded that the strategic evidence does not identify the district as a priority area for a new athletics facility. Therefore, there is an insufficient case for the council to fund the development of the facility.

Councillor Andy Smith, deputy leader and cabinet member for leisure and major projects, said: “This council has been, in my opinion, massive on supporting leisure and general activity. We’ve done many, many things over the years to get people there, to help people.

“Not least, but only one thing, we’ve built an entire new leisure centre in Lichfield and we maintain a very good leisure centre in Burntwood as well. In the parks, we have tennis, padel and we have many places to run, walk and swim across the district.

“Whilst I think this is a great concept and I love the idea of encouraging more people to get out there and run, but we have a finite pool of all resources, known as taxpayers’ money, and we have to decide the best approach on this.”

It has been estimated that the cost of developing a 400 metre active-track on council owned land would be a minimum of £96,487. The development of a full standard track on council land would start at £1,041,986. Both of these exclude ongoing maintenance.

England Athletics advised the council that travel distances of up to 20 miles are generally considered ‘reasonable’ for athletics facilities. There are currently four athletics complexes within 20 miles of Lichfield including Tamworth Athletics Stadium, Stafford Athletics Stadium, Shobnall Leisure Complex and Wyndley Leisure Centre.

Council leaders invited the petitioner to further explore the opportunities to develop a community-led Active Track on private land. This would mean that any future proposal could be considered for funding through the community infrastructure levy.